Born in London, Buckle was placed for adoption and grew up in an unofficial children's home, first in Streatham, and then in Ramsgate.
He was permitted to stay in a local church, acting as a caretaker without pay, before in 1941 finding work as a farm labourer.
He began working as a welder in Cowley, and joined the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).
At the 1955 UK general election, he stood in Bournemouth East and Christchurch, taking 23.4% of the vote and second place.
[1][2][3] At work, Buckle led a lengthy campaign to replace piecework with a set wage.